The Gospelaires began appearing publicly with The Drinkard Singers, and their talents were soon recognized by the local record companies, who began using the girls as background vocalists on sessions, the first being the Burt Bacharach penned Mexican Divorce with 'The Drifters' in 1961. TVs great but Shawn is happy to be back doing what he loves and that is keeping the memory alive. Starring world renowned Elvis Tribute artist Shawn Klush, and boasting a supporting cast of the finest the industry has to offer, Heart of the King is truly a must see for all Elvis fans, and fans of rock alike. (21 and over only) Phone: (888) 226-7711 Learn more about the Soul Explosion celebration: https://found.ee/SoulExplosionSplash-gThe Sweet Inspirations were one of the most in-demand backing acts of . 1 Hot Cake Or French Toast. Elvis Presley and Racism : The Ultimate, Definitive Guide, Interview with Larry Muhoberac Interview with John Wilkinson Interview with Michael Jarrett, songwriter, I'm Leavin' Interview with James Burton Interview with James Burton Sydney Australia 2006 James Burton : First Call For The Royalty Of Rockabilly Interview with Ronnie Tutt Interview with Ronnie Tutt #2 Interview with Jerry Scheff Interview with Glen D. Hardin Interview with Sherrill Nielsen Interview with Terry Blackwood & Jim Murray Interview with Tony Brown Duke Bardwell Interview with Scotty Moore Bill Black Interview with D.J. Keep the Faith. Elvis dear friend, Jerry Schilling, loved Smith too. Let It Be Me: The Atlantic Recordings (1967-1970) The Sweet Inspirations. It simply doesn't get any closer than this! Berns would go on to use them on just about every record he cut from then on, most notably on the subsequent string of hits he produced on Solomon Burke for Atlantic. Myrna Smith, The Sweet Inspirations, died in 2010. Emily and Lee were members of The Drinkard Singers, a family group that had the distinction of recording the first Gospel album to appear on a major label: A live recording from The Newport Jazz Festival in 1959. The concert will feature backup singers Estelle Brown and Portia Griffin of the legendary Sweet Inspirations" who backed Elvis on several nationwide tours. Also included from that set are "Thats The Way My Baby Is", and "Flash In The Pan". Elvis Musicians Elvis band who backed Elvis Presley that are still alive and performing today? New York, New York, United States. Estelle Brown, The Sweet Inspirations, still active. In addition to the work they were doing at Atlantic (basically taking the place of The Cookies who, as The Raelettes, had moved on when Brother Ray did in 1960), they would also back folks like Chuck Jackson and Maxine Brown for Wand, and become an integral part of the 'session scene' in town. The ladies of Sweet Inspiration worked with Elvis in Vegas, on his national concert tours, and on recordings from 1969 to 1977. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Estelle Brown in Jacksonville, Florida, born in Rock Hill, South Carolina, who passed away on January 24, 2021, at the age of 80, leaving to mourn family and friends. Already a group of session backing vocalists for years, they only formally became a band when they started recording singles in 1967. The session produced the group's biggest R&B hit in some time. Friday, June 24, 2016 Sunday, June 26, 2016Fri, Jun 24, 2016 Sun, Jun 26, 2016, Penticton Elvis Fest, 5902 Lakeshore Rd, Penticton, British Columbia. The pop-rock-gospel trio of Don Sumner, Sean Nielsen and Tim Beaty is The Voice, which has being the opening act and backup group for Elvis Presley. The Sweet Inspirations is known for Deadpool (2016), Something Borrowed (2011) and Sandy Wexler (2017). They say Elvis has left the building. Shrimp And Mushroom. By the way, I'm writing this with the album playing away. Their sound was defined by the piercing tenor vocals of Archie Watkins and the booming bass of Mike Holcomb. (See, I Will Always Love You). His ongoing misuse of an astonishing variety and volume of prescriptiondrugs turned his concert appearances into parodies staged by a sloppy, bloated performer who slurred lyrics rather than singing them, changed his character, caused him to act in an increasingly incomprehensible and erratic manner, and destroyed his health (ultimately killing him). Through the use of multimedia film sequences, live stage acting and concert segments featuring back up singers Estelle Brown and Portia Griffin of the legendary "Sweet Inspirations" and Southern California's own tribute band, TCB Flash Band, Back to Live creates an entertainment experience like no other. "We've been on Elvis' last six albums and done almost 400 shows with him," explains Sumner. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. The Sweet Inspirations were an American R&B girl group founded by Emily Cissy Houston (ne Drinkard), mother of Whitney Houston, and sister of Lee Warwick (herself the mother of well-known sisters Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick). Myrna Smith is one of the original Sweet Inspirations, the backing group who sang with Elvis in concert from 1969 until the end. The Sweet Inspirations continued to work as sessions singers during this period, appearing on classic cuts by artists as diverse as Aretha Franklin (Chain of Fools), Dusty Springfield (Son of a Preacher Man), Van Morrison (Brown Eyed Girl) and Jimi Hendrix (Burning of the Midnight Lamp). Shawn returns to Memphis on Elvis Tribute Week for the very 1st concert of the event. A Gamble & Huff composition, Gotta Find Me A Brand New Lover. Aside of Sweet Inspirations, Smith sang back up for Elvis in his Graceland recordings as well. 3362. Elvis death: The King's pilot I thought Vernon Presley had died, Elvis Presley bodyguard says King'different'person in private, Elvis Presley Vegas backing singer: I believe The King is an ANGEL and he is still here, Elvis performing in Las Vegas with The Sweet Inspirations, Elvis Presley ALIVE? In 1979, the group toured with The Bee Gees during their U.S. Re-released in 1991, it is still . target_type: 'mix' We look forward to seeing Really, really, like it. Welcome to the Official website of The Sweet Inspirations! The Sweet inspirations had a hit record on the Pop, Soul and R and B charts in 1969. Direct from the USA, the world's most successful Elvis tribute artist of all time returns to the UK by popular demand. Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1999. The group who sung with The King, including his Las Vegas residencies, featured Whitney Houstons mother Cissy. 1 Hot Cake Or French Toast With One Egg And Bacon Or Sausage Links. [2] The record was on the chart for ten weeks and peaked at number 18. Cissy Houston, The Sweet Inspirations, still active. They would also overdub their unbelievable background vocals in New York that summer when Atlantic brought back the tapes that they had recorded with Dusty Springfield at American in Memphis. Are any of the Sweet Inspirations still alive? Early in the show, according to a UPI report, Elvis told theaudience that "he smelled green peppers and onions and that his backup singers, the Sweet Inspirations, had probably been eating catfish. In fact, she gets it from the whole band." In addition to being an amazing musician, singer and entertainer, Elvis was a down-to-earth and humble person with a big heart, says Torres Martin. Error! Stay safe. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Rare Original '67 The SWEET INSPIRATIONS Atlantic Records Premiere Self Titled Stereo Vintage U.S Vinyl Press Lp Near MINT Sixties Funk Soul IsWhatIGot (1,123) $24.00 FREE shipping sweet sixteen svg / sweet 16 svg / sixteen svg / digital download CaffeinatedArtStudio (3,451) $1.30 $1.45 (10% off) Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. He once again criticized Westmoreland during the summer 1975 tour, telling audiences, among other things, that she would "take affection from anybody, anyplace, anytime. According to Elvis.com, Elvis loved the song so much that he contacted the group to have them sing back up for him. Artists Moods Energetic Positive Sweet Yearning Devotional Soothing Wistful Elegant Exciting Lively Relaxed Romantic Sentimental Sophisticated Strong Uplifting Warm Gentle Striding Gutsy Passionate Dreamy Artists Themes Faith Housework In Love Compassion Heartache Introspection Religion Yearning Healing/Comfort Passion Peace He was known for his playful humour and outrageous costumes when Sweet played hits like Blockbuster and . American singer and songwriter (19412010), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myrna_Smith&oldid=1133798944, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 15 January 2023, at 15:48. Houston's last recording session with The Sweet Inspirations was in October 1969, since she wanted to pursue a solo career and concentrate on her family. Matters came to a head during an evening performance in Norfolk. However, she added: Ive learned better than that but we just didnt think it would work. The Inspirations are a professional Southern Gospel quartet from Bryson City, NC. REDISCOVER The '60s: Soul Love. Shawn does an intimate show like no other that is free to the public. The Sweet Inspirations join Shawn Klush on his World Tour throughout the UK. The Sweet Inspirations met him when they arrived for the first rehearsals for the '69 engagement. Despite excellent songwriting and production from David Porter and Ronnie Williams, 'Slipped and Tripped', the 45 released from Estelle, Myrna and Sylvia failed to dent the charts. Shemwell suffered a stroke in 2001 that has kept her from performing with the group. When they brought down the house at the 1957 festival, they were signed to RCA on the spot, and they released the critically acclaimed 'A Joyful Noise' the following year. Sweet Inspirations is where my ~Dream~ comes alive and lets me be creative as my heart allows. The Sweet Inspirations worked with Presley until his death in 1977. Estelle spoke of how after Las Vegas shows the backing singers would be invited up to Elvis suite where they would sing gospel tunes until seven oclock in the morning. The "King" recorded and toured with the all-male Stampsas well as the female vocal group Sweet Inspirationsfor the remainder of his . I could SWAP places with a doppelgnger, Brian May on Queens influences: The Beatles 'built our bible', Rolling Stones: Brian Jones would call Bob Dylan EVERY day, Elvis Presley had 'HUGE heart, Graceland like living at Disneyland', Elvis Presley's WALKOUT after awkward meeting with Brian Wilson, Elvis: It was INTENSE The King watching 1968 special with Priscilla, Elvis: Colonel Parker's telegram Ive NEVER shared this Priscilla, Elvis Presley's HILARIOUS response to Graceland street named after him, Elvis didn't want to be old on stage, hed be BLOWN AWAY by legacy'. Just listen to Son of a Preacher Man sometimeand you get the idea of how important the Sweet Inspirations were to the Atlantic Sound. Originally formed with Philly vocalists Dionne Warwick, Dee Dee Warwick and Doris Troy and Emily "Cissy&q read more. The Inspirations, a hallmark name in Classic Gospel Quartet Music, bring The One in the Water..If you were raised on the sounds of the Gospel Singing Jubilee. As long as we stay inspired, the sign will stay upand we have a long list to explore!". One of the people who loved that song so much was allegedly Elvis himself. Back to Live is a show unlike any other because it shows you Elvis human side. Westmoreland had had a relationship with Elvis, and when she refused to pick up where they had left off during a concert tour earlier that year and started dating a member of the band, he began to introduce her at performances using "a string of veiled and not-so-veiled sexual references." Smith even married Schilling briefly from 1982-1987. Today there are many inspiring. _taboola.push({ All of which kind of makes Atlantic's decision to cut a Gospel album on them at the height of their success kind of strange. Elvis Birthday Elvis Born January 8, 1935. As stated above, the song Sweet Inspiration caught Elvis' attention, however it was the group, The Blossoms, who backed Elvis onhis '68 Comeback Special that was first choice forhis 1969 return to the stage in Las Vegas. They Come To Celebrate The King Of Rock & Roll Elvis Presley! They began performing again and were in demand by the legions of Elvis fans who had seen them in the seventies with the King, in addition to the Soul intelligentsia overseas, where they retained a huge following. Luke Combs recently took to social media to share a moving tribute to his paternal and maternal grandfathers. ISBN 0-316-33297-6 (pp. I'm sure he said, 'And I want your daughter to drive them'. Joe Guercio, conductor, died in 2015. Saturday, 4th March 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Read More. The Sweet Inspirations, Soundtrack: Deadpool. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. This is Shawn's first time in Tulsa and his birthday weekend so come celebrate with us and don't miss the Ultimate Elvis Experience. I really, really want to get their other studio albums. [2] They group broke up shortly thereafter. Both Dionne and Dee Dee were members, as was their cousin Myrna Smith and Judy's sister, Sylvia Shemwell. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. This first-of-its-kind musical performance tells the story of Presleys modest beginnings, rise to fame and return to live performing while featuring some of his greatest hits including Blue Suede Shoes and Hound Dog and even a few rare and classic tunes. She stood on stage with Elvis for over 1000 performances. Cissy Houston, Estelle Brown, Sylvia Shemwell and Myrna Smith made up the group that arranged and performed background vocals on countless recordings for a wide range of artistsfrom Wilson Pickett to Yusef Lateef to Jimi Hendrix to Elvis Presley and, of course, The Queen of Soul. Despite her financial struggles, she was determined tokeep her career and her friendships with her group mates going for as long as she could. Shawn Klush, Cody Ray Slaughter, Elvis' Sweet Inspirations and Elvis' original drummer DJ Fontana. The Inspirations announced a monumental change in their group, as founder/pianist/group co-owner Martin Cook resigned all of his roles last Wednesday. Over the years, Elvis Presley had a number of backing singers, including The Sweet Inspirations. 96 were here. While performing on the "Elvis: The Concert" European tour in March 2010, Smith developed pneumonia which eventually led to kidney failure and a stroke. Estelle Brown will be attending a few events in Memphis, Portia Griffin will be singing on these both shows! Small Pecan Pie Bites w/Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream Filling 8 oz. The Sweet Inspirations appeared with Elvis in more than 1,000 concerts and featured in the concert movies 'That's The Way It Is' and 'Elvis On'tour', as well as the television specials 'Aloha from Hawaii' and 'Elvis in Concert'. Speaking with Spa Guy in Nashville, Tennessee, Estelle spoke of how at first she thought the opposite of Elvis. ), which had been written and produced by Barry Gibb and released on RSO records. It was released in 1968 under the name 'Cissy Drinkard & The Sweet Inspirations'. Estelle Brown, Myrna Smith, and Sylvia Shemwell begun performing with Elvis in Las Vegas in 1969 and they continued to perform at every concert with Elvis all the way through the year of 1977 until Elvis' passing. He could have chosen anybody to sing with him, but he chose The Sweet Inspirations. After years apart, the Sweet Inspirations reformed in 1994 and continued to perform up until recently. The Inspirations describe themselves as "an enthusiastic, sincere, clean-cut group of fundamental conservative Christian gentlemen with a desire and an objective to witness to a needful and sinful world through the medium of Gospel Music." They have sold more than one million copies of their sixty albums. [3] It was released in June 1967 and rose to No. Success! Justly acknowledged as the groundbreaking, chart-topping tour de force it is, it's hard to imagine what this legendary Bert Berns and Jerry Ragavoy production would sound like without the girls from Newark. But he was really upset about it. In 1978, the group sang backing vocals on Frankie Valli's No.1 hit "Grease" from the film of the same name. Another famous piece . His engagement that christened The International Hotel in Vegas that July would mark his first appearance in over eight years. Elvis Presley and Racism: The Ultimate, Definitive Guide, 1967 : Sweet Inspirations : Atlantic 1968 : Songs of Faith & Inspiration : Atlantic 1969 : Sweets for my Sweet : Atlantic 1969 : What the World Needs Now is Love : Atlantic 1970 : Sweet Sweet Soul : Atlantic 1973 : The Estelle, Myrna and Sylvia : Stax 1979 : Hot Butterfly : RSO, #12 : The Sweet Inspirations :Black albums : 1968 #90 The Sweet Inspirations : Pop albums :1968, #13 : Let It Be Me : R&B|Black singles : 1967 #94 : Let It Be Me Pop singles : 1967 #36 : Why (Am I Treated so Bad) : Black singles : 1967 #57 : Why (Am I Treated so Bad) : Pop singles : 1967 #5 : Sweet Inspiration : Black singles : 1968 #18 : Sweet Inspiration : Pop singles : 1968 #30 : To Love Somebody : Black singles : 1968 #74 : To Love Somebody : Pop singles : 1968 #41 : Unchained Melody : Black singles : 1968 #73 : Unchained Melody : Pop singles 1968 #42 Crying in the Rain Black singles : 1969 #25 : A Brand New Lover : Black singles : 1970 #44 : Evidence : Black singles : 1971 #26 : Love is on the Way : Club Play singles : 1979 #34 : Celebration : Hot Dance music/Club Play : 2005, Interview with Myrna Smith Cissy Houston Remembers Elvis Presley. The group sang backup for many stars, including Aretha Franklin . News headlines delivered at 4:00 pm Monday - Friday. Add to Cart. The Inspirations Set to Release New Live Album in April Staff March 8, 2021 Arden, NC (March 8, 2021) Formed in 1964, The Inspirations are one of Gospel music's longest-standing quartets. Soon after, Shawn was also crowned the first ever Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Champion' in Memphis, Tennessee. See a video below where Elvis is having a conversation with The Sweet Inspirations and Myrna is featured in the video. This original backup group that was so in demand among producers, publishers, artists, and songwriters in the early '60s included Myrna's cousins, With both Doris and Dionne enjoying solo careers with hits (. The Sweet Inspirations (1969 - 1977) Emily (Cissy) Houston; Myrna Smith; Estelle Brown Sylvia Shemwell In the mid-to-late-Sixties, these ladies could be heard backing up Aretha Franklin, Gene Pitney and Wilson Pickett, among others, but they didn't have a name until singer Chuck Jackson suggested they call themselves The Inspirations. While still singing with the Blackwood Brothers in 1962, Sumner took on the added responsibilities of managing the Stamps Quartet, developing them into one of the top gospel groups in the country. If traditional Quartet harmonies delivered with exuberance and heartfelt earnestness speak to your heart, then you are already a fan of this new release from one of the most important groups in the history of Southern Gospel Music. They also toured with the Bee Gees and released the disco album 'Hot Butterfly' in this period, but with the record achieving limited success the group decided to break up. No audition was required. The Sweet Inspirations met him when they arrived for the first rehearsals for the '69 engagement. Aside from them working together, Smith had a boyfriend, Gregory, that was apart of the band as well. History. Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. She became a high school English teacher in South Brunswick, New Jersey in the 1960s, while she also pursued her singing career. The Sweet Inspirations are an American R&B girl group mostly known for their work as backup singers on studio recordings for other R&B and rock artists. Later they began traveling around the area and singing at various venues. This article about a United States songwriter is a stub. Related Playlists. Shawn Klush returns to Scranton, PA with The Sweet Inspirations! A link to the news story can be found here. He was 42. add strawberry, blackberry or blueberry topping with whipped cream for additional - $2. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta, GA. Atlanta Elvis fans, the wait is over. She was married previously to Jerry Schilling from 1982-1987. The Sweet inspirations were an American gospel/R&B girl group founded by Emily "Cissy" Houston, mother of the late Whitney Houston. Estelle Brown Sweet Inspirations In Las Vegas Sweets are headed to the UK for unprecedented Fall Tour starts Nov 3rd Visit http://www.elvisworldtour.co.uk/ for all the information Nov3 Shawn Klush Fall UK Tour Thursday, November 3Thu, Nov 3 Wolverhampton Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, UK Sweets For My Sweet. The Sweet Inspirations were hired by Elvis Presley in 1969 without an audition, due to Elvis being very familiar with The Sweet Inspirations. Product Vendor: Sweet Inspirations LLC. The Sweet Inspirations recorded by themselves for the first time in April 1967 for Atlantic Records. We were all touched by the same angel: Elvis Presley. The Sweet Inspirations covered I've Been Loving You Too Long, But You Know I Love You, When Something Is Wrong with My Baby, Do Right Woman - Do Right Man and other songs. The 1970s saw the Inspirations rise to national attention with a number of hit songs. The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. ", BURBANK, CA - JUNE 27: Rock and roll musician Elvis Presley performing on the Elvis comeback TV special on June 27, 1968. [2], In a recording session on March 28, 1967, the Sweet Inspirations provided the backup vocals for Van Morrison on his classic hit "Brown Eyed Girl". The infamous "catfish" incident that resulted in several of Elvis Presley's backup singers walking off stage in the middle of a concert was not merely a matter of their taking offense at a racist remark, but a reaction to the singer's increasingly bizarre behavior. In 1973, Brown, Smith, and Shemwell recorded an album for Stax Records. click here for contact information. chocolates shopping sweet inspirations. Lucy and Nicholas are both dedicated to their work, putting . Elvis' retinue of backup singers in 1975 consisted of soprano Kathy Westmoreland, who had joined Presley's concert ensemble in 1969; the Sweet Inspirations, a quartet of Black female gospel singers who had also been with Elvis' touring group since 1970; and J.D. Clockwise from top. Its surreal, but theres an energy here. Both Troy and Dionne Warwick enjoyed solo careers with hits in 1963, "Just One Look" and "Don't Make Me Over" respectively, on which the Sweet Inspirations can be heard. When he made his first appearance in texas at the Astrodome, according to Myrna Smith, Elvis was told, 'Well, you can leave the black girls home. UPI, 21 July 1975. Rank. Sylvia Shemwell, The Sweet Inspirations, died in 2010. Estelle Brown, one of the Sweet Inspirations, responded to his remark by hanging her head, and Elvis continued by proclaiming, "Estelle, Sweet Inspirations, Stamps, if you don't look up, I'm going to kick your ass." When Elvis heard that sound he just had to have them sing with him. Estelle Brown, one of the Sweet Inspirations, responded to his remark by hanging her head, and Elvis continued by proclaiming, "Estelle, Sweet Inspirations, Stamps, if you don't look up,. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Unlike the king, Schilling never stopped pursing Schilling and he eventually won her over. Sweet Inspirations is open daily at Zero India Street. Shemwell died on February 13, 2010. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio. They would sing behind him for the rest of his life. Elvis, emboldened by his own American Studio recordings that had put him back in the top ten in 1969, Elvis decided to return to performing in public. Elvis Presley Grave Who is Buried at Graceland? The Sweet Inspirations : Female vocal group, formed 1967 in New York, New York. The 'Sweets' worked with Elvis in Vegas, on his national concert tours and on recordings from 1969 to 1977. The Sweet Inspirations met him when they arrived for the first rehearsals for the '69 engagement.